The 2024 Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition is the highest trim you can get now that the Morizo is sold out. This little hot hatch is a 300-hp, all-wheel-drive hooligan and affordable performance cars don’t get much better than this.

I drove the Morizo version a year ago and although it had more torque, a close-ratio transmission, and shorter differential gears, it was missing its back seats, making taking your wife and mom-in-law a tad difficult.

The 2024 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition is an impressive blend of performance, style, and advanced technology, making it a significant departure from the Corolla’s traditional reputation as a reliable but somewhat unexciting compact car.

The exterior design of the Corolla GR Circuit Edition is aggressive and sporty, with a distinct aerodynamic profile that includes a prominent front grille, sleek LED headlights, and bold lines that emphasize its performance capabilities. The exclusive GR badging and unique color options, such as Heavy Metal and Ice Cap, make it stand out from the regular Corolla models.

What’s New?

Toyota said the Circuit Edition wouldn’t return for 2024 but it has and there are a couple of changes one of which is a new color choice, Blue Flame. It also receives black forged aluminum 18-inch BBS ® wheels similar to the lightweight wheels that came with the 2023 MORIZO. They are wearing 235/40 Michelin Pilot 4s tires which are smaller than the Morizo’s and definitely not as sticky as the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s.

It also gets black side rocker graphics that run up to the stamped GR-Four logo. Brakes are ventilated 14-inch discs with 4-piston calipers at the front and ventilated 11.7-inch 2-piston calipers at the rear.  The Front suspension is a MacPherson-type strut and at the rear, you get a double wishbone type multilink.

The Circuit Edition and the Premium trim get Front & Rear Torsen Limited Slip Differentials, the base model does not, however, for $1,100 you can add them to the Core model. The curb weight is a very svelte 3,262 lbs.  

Under the hood

The Toyota GR Corolla makes 300 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, down 20 lb-ft over the Morizo trim but it’a not something you would notice. These numbers are quite remarkable considering it has a tiny 1.6-liter turbo 3, yes only 3 cylinders. It drives all four wheels through a 6-speed manual only and if you get the launch right and sifts right it will go from 0 to 60 in a manufacturer-claimed 4.99 seconds.

The top speed is 142.9 mph and you can get 28 mpg on the Highway with a light right foot but you need to use Premium (91+ Octane).

Driving Experience

Driving the Corolla GR Circuit Edition is a joyous experience, the turbocharged engine delivers power smoothly and eagerly, with minimal turbo lag. The manual transmission offers precise shifts, allowing you to fully engage with the car. The all-wheel-drive system ensures that power is effectively distributed, providing excellent grip and stability, even on challenging roads. The only real downside is I wish it made a better noise.

The car’s handling is sharp and responsive, making it easy to carve through corners with confidence. The suspension strikes a decent balance with its fixed system but the ride can get jarring after a while, especially on rough surfaces.

I kept it in the Track setting which proves a 50/50 power split and selected Sport mode. With these settings, it will power through almost any corner at almost any speed. no fuss, no understeer just pure fun.

At the limit, there’s a little roll but the confidence this little car has is immense, even if you overcook it a bit the chassis remains very controllable and ultimately the traction control will haul the car back onto your chosen line. The GR Corolla is an engineering wonder and we can’t thank Toyota enough for bringing us this car.

Inside

It’s pretty much a Corolla inside, all business and no luxury, the very comfortable bucket seats being the only differentiator. The manual adjustment seats hold you in and have plenty of bolstering for the thighs and back.  Next to the shifted is a little “GR-Four” knob that lets you toggle between a 60:40 front-rear torque split or a four-wheel-drift-ready 30:70 setup. If you push the center you get Track (50/50)

The cabin is a very driver-focused environment with a mix of sporty and premium materials. Those seats are upholstered in a combination of leather and suede. There are red accents and GR branding throughout the interior which help to reinforce the car’s sporty character. The overall build quality is high, reflecting Toyota’s commitment to craftsmanship.

Technology and Features

The 2024 Corolla GR Circuit Edition comes equipped with a host of modern technologies. The infotainment system features an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The premium JBL audio system is decent but hard to hear since the interior and road noise is quiet high.

Safety is also a priority, with Toyota’s Safety Sense suite of driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking.

Cargo Space

In this model, you get 17.8 cubic feet of space but you can fold the rear seats to provide some additional room. The Michelins are run flats so this gives you some additional space under the rear carpet.

Pricing

The Circuit Edition is the most expensive one and starts at $44,740. My tester had a couple of options. A carpeted cargo mat for $289, a frameless homelink mirror for $175, and Black lug nuts and locking G wheels nuts take the total price to $46,476 including destination. 

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Verdict  

The little GR Corolla just wants to go fast and have a good time and it does that very well. It’s a bit noisy and the interior doesn’t feel that special but these are things you easily forget about on a twisty back road.  The 2024 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition is a remarkable achievement, transforming the humble Corolla into a true performance machine. It offers a thrilling driving experience without compromising on comfort or practicality. Get one while you can!

2024 Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition Numbers

BASE PRICE: $44,740
PRICE AS TESTED: $46,476
VEHICLE TYPE: Front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 4-door hatchback
ENGINE TYPE: 1.6 liter turbocharged inline 3
POWER: 300 hp @ 6,500 rpm
TORQUE: 273 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed manual with rev-matching
CURB WEIGHT: 3,262 lb
ZERO to 60 mph: 5.0 sec
TOP SPEED: 143 mph (limited)
TIRES: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, Front: 2355/40 ZR-18, 245/40 ZR-18
EPA FUEL ECONOMY: Combined/city/highway 24/21/28
OUR OBSERVED: 19.2 mpg 
PROS:  Incredible chassis balance and grip, Scintillating handling,  Superbly quick
CONS: Hard ride, exhaust could be more aggressive